The Cherished Wife by Chweety

"Do you like it?"

Noelle caught Charles's eye. He was as silent as a statue, which made her heart race a little. She glanced down at her outfit, feeling out of place. She had never worn anything like this before, and she was pretty sure she had never seen these clothes in any period drama before. However, the intense spark in Charles's gaze immediately washed away her worries. She gave a small, hopeful smile. "How do I look?"

"You look amazing!" Charles whispered, his voice low but filled with warmth. He chuckled and reached out to straighten her outfit. "Head on out. I'll be right behind you!"

"Got it!"

Stepping out, Noelle spotted Sean and Peter, already decked out in their new gear. They looked like they had stepped out of a different era. They looked so cool that Noelle nearly forgot Sean's usual goofball antics. Blinking in surprise, Noelle greeted them with a bright, "Hey Peter, Mr. Smith!"

Peter gave a slight nod, but Sean was not having it. "Hold up, Noelle. You're on a first-name basis with Peter, yet I get the 'Mr. Smith' treatment? That's cold. We've known each other way longer!" "Should I just call you Sean, then?" Noelle laughed, caught off guard by his reaction.

Sean's frown smoothed out as he finally felt content with the situation. However, his smirk faded quickly as he teased, "Noelle couldn't take her eyes off us just now. If Charles saw that, he'd be green with envy!" "Who's envious?" Charles appeared, his gaze briefly flicking over Sean. "Are you sure she's even looking at you?" he said, the dig at Sean barely veiled.

that supposed to mean, Charles? Am I not cool or popular enough? Even if Noelle isn't into me, what about Peter? He's every bit your

the jab, raised

Sean. "Sean, you're really asking for it." His cool, crisp

Charles's brooding tone. Noelle glanced up at Peter, sensing there was more

leading her away. "Ignore them. They're always like this. How about

but steal glances at him. She was right-he looked amazing. His attire clung

that made everything he wore look effortlessly stylish. He

eased his steps and shot

and he could not help but let a small, warm smile play across his lips. With a flutter of her eyelashes, Noelle caught that smile and blurted out, "Charles,

most handsome man

ever seen."

squeezed her soft hand, his grin widening. Their exchange warmed the mild chill of early